will this guy play this year and win games?
Paul Soliai
Height: 6-4
Weight: 334
Position: Defensive Tackle
College: Utah

Soliai is an unheralded talent with excellent size to play in the two-gap scheme. He is a former offensive guard with just two years of experience on the defensive line, but he plays with leverage and is known for his ability to occupy multiple blockers.

One of eight children, Soliai was team captain and an offensive lineman at Nuuuli Poly Tech in Pago Pago, American Samoa. He also lettered in basketball and soccer. Upon graduating, Soliai moved to the United States. He enrolled at Coffeyville Community College in 2002, where he excelled as an offensive guard. The two-time All-Jayhawk Community College Conference choice added All-America honorable mention as a freshman and first-team national honors in 2003.

Soliai transferred to the University of Utah in 2004, spending the season redshirting on the scout team. He suited up for the team's fourth game of the season against Air Force, but did not appear in that game. He shifted to the defensive line in 2005 spring camp, gaining valuable experience behind Kelly Talavou at nose guard. He managed just five tackles (four solos) with a sack and 1½ stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Soliai earned second-team All-Mountain West Conference honors in 2006. He started the team's first 12 games at nose guard, but was ruled ineligible for post-season action. He registered 35 tackles (13 solos) with 2½ sacks, 3½ stops for losses and four pass deflections. He caused and recovered a fumble while also blocking an extra point attempt.

In 24 games at Utah, Soliai started 12 times. He produced 40 tackles (14 solos) with 3½ sacks for minus-27 yards and five stops for losses totaling 31 yards. He caused and recovered a fumble. He also was credited with four pass breakups and one blocked kick.

Keven Lerner, of the Sun-Sentinel, reports the Miami Dolphins addressed their defense and special teams during the second day of the NFL Draft. They took DT Paul Soliai in the fourth round, which was their first defensive selection during the draft, and he will compete for a backup spot at nose tackle.

nomad

04-30-2007, 10:15 AM

Soliai or Trent Green, I wonder who the Fins fans would rather have today....

Frankie

04-30-2007, 10:34 AM

Soliai or Trent Green, I wonder who the Fins fans would rather have today....
i undferstand the Chiefs had looked at Soliali with great interest. Maybe they still can trade Green for him. :hmmm:

NJ Chief Fan

04-30-2007, 10:40 AM

i undferstand the Chiefs had looked at Soliali with great interest. Maybe they still can trade Green for him. :hmmm:
Miami could also package Chris Chambers and we could send them the rights to Dwayne Bust and Green.

Steve Sewell

04-30-2007, 10:41 AM

I think John Beck is a better NFL prospect than Brady Quinn, to be honest. The only reason Brady Quinn is so highly regarded by the media folk is because he's a domer. The drafting teams, IMO, spoke loud and clear regarding his actual potential on Saturday.